Cationic liposomes enzyme activity

Cationic lipids can destabilize a cellular membrane because of its intrinsic detergent property. Therefore, destabilization of endosomal and/or lysosomal membrane may be a contribution from the cationic lipids itself In the same context, it was shown that the cationic lipid/DOPE or cationic lipid/cholesterol liposome formulation exhibit surface anisotropies in terms of increased liposomal surface pH (161,162). The surface pH of the liposomal formulations exhibits at least two pH units higher than the pH of the solution at which they are made. Therefore, a liposomal solution made at physiological pH may in reality exhibit a surface pH > 9, which is detrimental for both the stability of endosome and activity of lysosomal enzymes. Endosomal disruptions were also done with fusogenic peptides, which promote pH-dependent fusion of small liposomes when associated with lipid bilayer. When these peptides were co-delivered with lipid/DNA complex, they imparted formidable endosomal disruption by changing its usual random coil conformation into amphipathic a-helix conformation at lower pH, resulting in consequent cytoplasmic delivery of DNA (163). 

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